Linux Kernel up to 6.16-rc4 vmci_transport_packet_init privilege escalation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16-rc4. It has been rated as problematic. This vulnerability affects the function vmci_transport_packet_init. The manipulation leads to an unknown weakness. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-38403. There is no exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16-rc4. The impact remains unknown. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: vsock/vmci: Clear the vmci transport packet properly when initializing it In vmci_transport_packet_init memset the vmci_transport_packet before populating the fields to avoid any uninitialised data being left in the structure.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-38403 since 04/16/2025. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 253428 (SUSE SLES15 Security Update : kernel (SUSE-SU-2025:02923-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.4.296, 5.10.240, 5.15.187, 6.1.144, 6.6.97, 6.12.37, 6.15.6 or 6.16-rc5 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 19c2cc01ff9a8031398a802676ffb0f4692dd95d/1c1bcb0e78230f533b4103e8cf271d17c3f469f0/2d44723a091bc853272e1a51a488a3d22b80be5e/0a01021317375b8d1895152f544421ce49299eb1/94d0c326cb3ee6b0f8bd00e209550b93fcc5c839/75705b44e0b9aaa74f4c163d93d388bcba9e386a/e9a673153d578fd439919a24e99851b2f87ecbce/223e2288f4b8c262a864e2c03964ffac91744cd5 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (253428) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1653). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • IBM QRadar SIEM
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Dell Avamar
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • Dell NetWorker
  • Dell Secure Connect Gateway

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Privilege escalation
CWE: Unknown
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 253428
Nessus Name: SUSE SLES15 Security Update : kernel (SUSE-SU-2025:02923-1)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.4.296/5.10.240/5.15.187/6.1.144/6.6.97/6.12.37/6.15.6/6.16-rc5
Patch: 19c2cc01ff9a8031398a802676ffb0f4692dd95d/1c1bcb0e78230f533b4103e8cf271d17c3f469f0/2d44723a091bc853272e1a51a488a3d22b80be5e/0a01021317375b8d1895152f544421ce49299eb1/94d0c326cb3ee6b0f8bd00e209550b93fcc5c839/75705b44e0b9aaa74f4c163d93d388bcba9e386a/e9a673153d578fd439919a24e99851b2f87ecbce/223e2288f4b8c262a864e2c03964ffac91744cd5

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
07/25/2025 +100 days Advisory disclosed
07/25/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
01/03/2026 +162 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38403 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38403
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-317639
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1653 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 07/25/2025 15:37
Updated: 01/03/2026 19:53
Changes: 07/25/2025 15:37 (56), 08/20/2025 12:37 (7), 08/24/2025 02:12 (2), 09/14/2025 18:38 (1), 09/16/2025 00:13 (1), 09/28/2025 22:02 (1), 11/02/2025 10:14 (1), 11/17/2025 01:47 (1), 12/24/2025 06:17 (12), 01/03/2026 19:53 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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